We are thrilled to introduce one of our 2 new birth assistants Amey Clark RN who will be facilitating the group (not pictured here – pictures and bio to come soon!).   Amey is on the birth call schedule and will be in the office on Mondays.  Here is an introduction from  Amey about her background and the Inn Mommies group:

Hi, my name is Amey Clark and I am so excited to start Babymoon Inn’s new group for expecting and new mommies!  Inn Mommies is a group for moms to come and bring their new babies and meet other new moms.  We will have a topic every week such as babywearing, cloth diapering, teething, nighttime parenting, starting solids, infant massage and much more.  We will also have time to sit and chat and lots of time for questions and answers.

I am a mommy of three children ages 8, 11 and 13.  I have been an OB nurse for 14 years and I have a passion for pregnancy, birth and babies.

So please come and join us, every Wednesday from noon-2 at the Babymoon Inn office.  We have timed this group to overlap with Walk In Wednesdays with Vanessa (11-1) so there will also be breastfeeding support available. 

For questions about the group, please feel free to contact Amey at amey@babymooninn.com.  We would also love to hear any suggestions you have for other topics of interest.

Today’s topic was Babywearing and so much fun!  Next Wednesday’s topic is Teething.  Come join us!

Racquelle Joy’s Birth Story

 Don’t you love a story that begins, “I lost my mucus plug…”  But, that is exactly how it began.  It was 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 17th.  I woke up and went to the bathroom, which was my usual early morning routine in the third trimester.  With the bloody show that was present it was obvious that my mucus plug was definitely gone.  I attempted to return to bed, but noticed that my contractions were becoming more severe.  I knew from my Bradley Method of Husband-Coached Natural Child-Birthing class that I needed to conserve my energy.  “Just relax and go back to sleep,” I told myself.  But, I was only 1 week away from my estimated delivery date – this could be false labor, or it could also be the real deal!

 I decided to get up because the severity of the contractions was different from the Braxton-Hicks I was accustomed to.  I simply could not sleep through them.  I decided to time my contractions to see if there was any regularity to them.  Surprise!  They were between eight and five minutes apart and usually 1-1.5 minutes in duration.  I knew this was it!

 I waited until 7:30 a.m. to call our midwife, Connie.  We discussed resting and relaxing while I labored at home because exhaustion is not a friend during labor and delivery.  That’s also when my husband, Michael, rose for the day and I called our doula, Vanessa.  Vanessa is my sister and also a labor and delivery nurse at a local hospital – plus, she’s my personal lactation consultant!  Vanessa made babysitting arrangements for her own children and arrived at our house around noon with lunch.  I remembered to eat throughout the day, first in the morning with my usual oatmeal, again at lunch with a sandwich, and macaroni-n-cheese for dinner with healthy snacks in between. 

 Being at home was the best and most comfortable arrangement for this early labor.  While there, either Michael or Vanessa would time my contractions on our smart phone application while the other would help massage my lower back.  We walked around the backyard and did some lunges, used the birth ball, and labored in the side relaxation position.  I took two small naps while still attempting to time the contractions.  Connie would call every few hours to check on my progression.  Finally around 7:30 p.m., my contractions were picking up speed and increasing in intensity.  I felt I needed to get to my birthing location.  Michael called Connie and the Birth Team met at the Babymoon Inn around 8:30 p.m.

 I thought it would go quickly and smoothly after arriving at the birth sanctuary and into Connie’s capable hands.  After all, I did everything that I could during pregnancy in preparation for this day.  I did my research, stayed in shape, ate a great diet, and stayed happy and healthy overall.  I had already been in labor for approximately sixteen hours and only expected the eighteen hour average.  I was wrong!   

 I had previously requested during our prenatal appointments and in our birth plan that during labor, Connie would not tell me how far dilated I was for fear that it would depress me and stunt the continued progression of my labor.  When I arrived at the Babymoon Inn and Connie checked my cervix, unfortunately I was only 4.5 cm.  She simply stated that I “wasn’t going anywhere,” so we nested into the large bedroom and labor progressed slowly again.

 Right from the start, I became quite cold with the chills, ran a small fever and vomited twice.  Our Birth Attendant, Erin, would check the baby’s heartbeat (which was phenomenal every time!) and my temperature every hour.  When the hours dragged on, I realized that this was going to be neither quick nor easy.  When I finally glanced at the clock, I noticed that I had been laboring for an entire day – that’s 24 hours! 

 Throughout the evening, we attempted to change positions every 30 minutes or so.  I laid on my side and the pain became almost unbearable, even with the heated rice sock on my back.  We switched to the shower and while my uterus contracted, I would bend over using the shower wall for support and Michael would spray my lower back with the hot water.  We walked around the interior of the Babymoon Inn and when a contraction would hit, one of my birth team members would be right behind me, ready to massage my back or put pressure on my hips to help with the pain.  I continued to labor on my hands and knees in the cat-cow position and even got into the large Jacuzzi tub.  I attempted to imagine the weightless feeling of scuba diving while in the tub.  But each time a contraction came on, I would rise up on my hands and rock my pelvis back and forth – my own modified cat-cow.  I remember falling asleep a few times while in the bathtub and even when I was in the middle of a contraction standing up!  Exhaustion was creeping in.  While getting out of the tub, I looked at Connie and commented that this was not what I had expected.  That’s when she and Erin said a prayer of intercession over me.

 Connie also made me an herbal tincture to help my labor progress, but my contractions would not get closer than two minutes apart.  She also requested that I eat something so a hardboiled egg and tea with honey was presented to me.  I took two bites and then needed to use the restroom.  Vanessa accompanied me to the bathroom and continued to give me words of encouragement like, “You’re doing such a great job!” and “You’re so strong!”  I finally looked her in the eyes and mentioned that I had been pushing on the last three contractions while on the toilet and asked if that was okay.  She said we should have Connie check me again.

 As I approached Connie in the bedroom, I mentioned my urge to push.  That was the best news she had heard all night!  However, I was not sure if it was just the wishful urge to push or if my body was really ready for second stage labor.  After Connie checked, I still had a portion of cervix remaining, but she could assist its opening to the fully dilated 10 cm during a contraction.  Therefore, we went ahead and proceeded and on the second contraction, I felt the baby’s head “break through” into the birth canal.  That’s the only time I cursed during labor and delivery!  It was definitely a different feeling than the first stage of labor.  Unfortunately, I had to cease pushing at this very moment so that the team could check the baby’s heart rate.  All was good, so it took me just one more contraction to push her all the way out…eleven minutes total.  I remember Connie commenting that the baby had a lot of hair and that she was a very pretty baby.  Mind you, all I was thinking was, “Yah, she probably says that to all her clients!”  But, when the baby’s shoulder was out, Connie told me to take my baby and pull her the rest of the way out of the birth canal.  I did just that and our beautiful baby girl, Racquelle Joy, was born at 6:29 a.m. on Sunday, September 18^th.  Michael was behind me, supporting me all the way through the pushing, and was weeping at the sight of our new little creation. 

 I breast-fed Racquelle immediately after birth.  Then, she was weighed and measured and we cuddled some more before she fell into a deep slumber.  With this second wind I was experiencing from natural childbirth, I was able to take a shower and eat some breakfast.  We took photos, discussed post partum items, did some paperwork and enjoyed the beautiful Sunday morning that was before us. 

 What a blessing our little one is.  And, what a blessing to have such an amazing place like the Babymoon Inn and wonderful people like Connie and Erin to support the natural child-birthing community here in Phoenix!

Roxanne Kane, RN, BSN – Lead Birth Assistant

Roxanne Kane has been a Registered Nurse for well over 20 years, with most of that time doing Labor and Delivery in various establishments in the Valley and in Payson, most notably the Bethany Birth Center.  She is a strong believer in the strength of women and their ability to birth their babies naturally, but also has the critical experience and calm strength to handle unforeseen problems too. 

 Roxanne is the mother of four grown children, and grandmother of 9 grandchildren.  This does not count the many “part-time” children and grandchildren that she has been involved with.  She was born and raised in Southern California, but has lived in Arizona for over thirty years. 

Caring and love is brought to each birth through this Nurse; for the new Mother, the new Baby, and the entire Family!  She understands how important this time of life is for the new family, and feels honored to share it with all. 

Michelle Dayton RN, BSN – Birth Assistant

Michelle graduated Cum Laude from Arizona State University with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2009.  She currently works in acute care at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, and is ACLS and NRP certified. 

 Michelle’s true passion is for women and their families.   She is currently on her journey to becoming a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and a midwife.  Michelle’s goal as a birthing assistant is to support women and their families in one of life’s greatest journeys and to help them create a birthing experience that they choose and that is empowering and nurturing.  She is excited to be a part of the Babymoon Inn and honored to have the opportunity to be a part of many miracles!

Monica Brown is a wife and mother of three children.  She and her husband Chris have been happily married 10 years and her children are ages 7, 6, and 3.  Monica had natural childbirths for each of her children. Monica has a strong passion to help other women though the experience of bringing their precious babies into the world.  Having experienced a transfer to the hospital, a birthing center birth, and a home waterbirth, Monica draws from her experiences in each of those situations along with her training as a birth assistant (including ACLS and NRP certifications) to support other women during the incredible journey of childbirth.  Monica is currently working towards earning a nursing degree and plans on continuing to work with Babymoon Inn!

Q. What major topics are covered in your workshop?

A.  * The importance of listening to your body and the benefits of allowing birth to happen naturally.
* Building a healthy pain coping mindset by learning creative ways to labor
* Relaxation techniques
* Labor and pushing positions
* Pain coping techniques
* Discuss terminology and medical processes (epidural, pitocin, SROM, AROM, etc.)
* Benefits of having a doula
* Breastfeeding
Q. Is your workshop a specific “method” – if not, is it similar to one I would recognize?
 
A.  * This workshop is not a specifc method such as Lamaze or the like. The emphasis is on the significance of the partner’s role, while at the same time, giving the couple the tools needed to get through labor and birth.
 
Q. Why did you decide to teach the workshop?
 
A.  * My desire in teaching this workshop is to equip the couple with knowledge and skills to enhance the birth experience, making lasting memories.   The intimate structure of this class allows the partner to experience more of the emotional side of birth. Overall, the emphasis is on having a healthy baby and a positive birth experience and doing whatever it takes to make that happen.
 
Q. I am a first-time mom. How is the workshop helpful to me?

A.  * Your first birth is very important…It can affect your subsquent births.
* If a first-time mom becomes familiar with the naturalness of the birth process, she is more able to trust that her body can do it.
* She will be shown a healthy perspective of what to expect in labor whether in a hospital, birth center or home.
* Facts will be presented without fear to help alleviate “the fear of the unknown.”
* This class is an opportunity to focus on your relationship and help you connect with confidence and strength for the special event ahead!
 
Q. I am NOT a first-time mom. How is the workshop helpful to me?
 
A.  * Often times, there may be issues or bad memories associated with a prior birth. This class will allow a couple to work through some of those issues and look toward this “new birth” with excitement and anticipation.
* As with a first-time mom, this class is a great opportunity to focus on your relationship with your partner and help you connect on a new level.

Becky is a Registered Nurse and obtained her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing from Arizona State University in 2006.

 Becky completed a one-year externship in the Banner Thunderbird Neonatal Intensive Care Unit before graduating from nursing school. She was hired as a new graduate RN and has been working in the NICU ever since. Her passion is working with sick/premature babies and their families. Becky is an active member of The Academy of Neonatal Nursing and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.    Becky believes that women with a low-risk pregnancy should be able to birth their babies in the setting that they desire. She is a strong supporter of natural child-birth and only using medical interventions when absolutely necessary for the health of the mother or baby. Becky has been able to observe and support many birth center births with her mother, Connie Garcia, including those of her seven nieces and nephews!

Erin Garcia has had a passion for caring for mothers and babies since the beginning of her career in 2004. Erin graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelors of Science in nursing. She is a member of AWHONN and is ACLS and NRP certified.  Her experience includes the care of low risk and high risk mothers as well as working in the intermediate care nursery taking care of babies after birth.  Erin is currently employed at St. Josephs Hospital and Medical Center as a labor and delivery nurse.  Erin also has a personal interest in being part of the Babymoon team, because she and her husband gave birth to their daughter at a birth center.  Her goal as a birth attendant is to empower women and their families to create a beautiful birth experience that they will remember for a lifetime.  Her hope is that every family will leave Babymoon Inn feeling empowered, loved and confident in their new roles as parents.

Connie Ann Garcia is a Certified Nurse Midwife who also has a Master of Science degree in Nursing.   She received her Master’s degree from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and  her certificate of nurse-midwifery is from the Frontier School of Nurse-Midwifery and Family Nursing in Hyden, Kentucky.

Connie’s expertise includes full-scope midwifery care and the establishment and accreditation of free-standing birth centers.  She is currently the Vice President of the Commission for Accreditation of Birth Centers and a Site Visitor.  Connie is also a member of the American College of Midwives, the American Association of Birth Centers, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, and the Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nurses. 

Connie has given several presentations; including Nurse-Midwifery, birth centers, alternative birth care, and women’s health topics such as peri-menopause , antenatal testing, and GYN care for teens.  She is interested in speaking at mom’s groups, high school and college classes or specialty conferences or symposiums.   Connie was also owner and instructor at Contemporary Childbirth Education and has taught Christian Childbirth classes.  Her love is caring for women and their families of all ages!

Connie strongly believes that most women have normal, healthy pregnancies and births and should be allowed an alternative birth site as they desire.  She is supportive of gentle and empowering prenatal and birth care, allowing women to have as much control as possible in the setting of their choice.  Connie herself is a mother of five and gave birth in a traditional hospital, a freestanding birth center and at home with a nurse-midwife.  Her grown children have also chosen out-of-hospital birth with their families!

Due to increased interest in alternative birth options, the local Fox news station featured Connie and her client family during prenatal care and a water birth in a birth center.  She was also interviewed by Fox regarding pregnancy and the extreme heat in Phoenix.  Connie believes it is vital to get the word out about women’s real choices in their care for a lifetime, and that these choices leave a legacy for the next generation.

Anyways, it is the unfortunate truth that sometimes the financial ”cost” of alternative medicine (midwifery care, birth center birth, accupuncture, etc.) gets in the way of us seeking and taking advantage of the care we need.  I won’t get on my soapbox here about the changes needed to our system.  Instead, I have a practical list from Leigh of eight suggestions on how to pay for the care you need – which will help you avoid the “cost” of care that isn’t right for you.

1.  If you are craftsy, start an etsy store

2.  Start a CafePress store

3.  Ask your bank about a “save the change” type of account

4.  Ask your bank about a “special fund/holiday” account

5.  Ask friends and family to donate funds instead of giving you diapers, stuffed animals, etc.

6.  Forgo a fancy crib nursery set

7.  Have a birth center garage sale

8.  Use your tax refund money towards the birth

After our conversation, I came across this blog by Rural Midwife that describes exactly our conversation.  In her words, Women, if this is something you want then you must tell yourself that you and your baby are worth the cost. This is more important than a family vacation or a big screen television. You are worth it!

We want to congratulate Tammy Roecker, Stephanie Soderbloom, and our very own Shell Walker for receiving the Family-Centered Caregiver Award from the AZBN!  The Arizona Birth Network describes this award as a way to ”honor and celebrate Arizona birth professionals who provide exemplary care, as defined by The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services.  These individuals base their practice on a philosophy of care that is family focused, mother-friendly and evidence-based. They work to improve the conditions under which women labor and birth, and actively discourage, or work to change practices that are not in the best interest of mothers, babies and families.

The Arizona Birth Network bases their criteria for provider recognition on the CIMS Model for Maternity Care, which is defined as:

We believe the philosophical cornerstones of mother-friendly care to be as follows:
Normalcy of the Birthing Process

• Birth is a normal, natural, and healthy process.
• Women and babies have the inherent wisdom necessary for birth.
• Babies are aware, sensitive human beings at the time of birth, and should be acknowledged and treated as such.
• Breastfeeding provides the optimum nourishment for newborns and infants.
• Birth can safely take place in hospitals, birth centers, and homes.
• The midwifery model of care, which supports and protects the normal birth process, is the most appropriate for the majority of women during pregnancy and birth.

Empowerment

• A woman’s confidence and ability to give birth and to care for her baby are enhanced or diminished by every person who gives her care, and by the environment in which she gives birth.
• A mother and baby are distinct yet interdependent during pregnancy, birth, and infancy. Their interconnected–ness is vital and must be respected.
• Pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period are milestone events in the continuum of life. These experiences profoundly affect women, babies, fathers, and families, and have important and long-lasting effects on society.

Autonomy

• Every woman should have the opportunity to:
• Have a healthy and joyous birth experience for herself and her family, regardless of her age or circumstances;
• Give birth as she wishes in an environment in which she feels nurtured and secure, and her emotional well-being, privacy, and personal preferences are respected;
• Have access to the full range of options for pregnancy, birth, and nurturing her baby, and to accurate information on all available birthing sites, caregivers, and practices;
• Receive accurate and up-to-date information about the benefits and risks of all procedures, drugs, and tests suggested for use during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, with the rights to informed consent and informed refusal;
• Receive support for making informed choices about what is best for her and her baby based on her individual values and beliefs.

Do No Harm

• Interventions should not be applied routinely during pregnancy, birth, or the postpartum period. Many standard medical tests, procedures, technologies, and drugs carry risks to both mother and baby, and should be avoided in the absence of specific scientific indications for their use.
• If complications arise during pregnancy, birth, or the postpartum period, medical treatments should be evidence-based.

Responsibility

• Each caregiver is responsible for the quality of care she or he provides.
• Maternity care practice should be based not on the needs of the caregiver or provider, but solely on the needs of the mother and child.
• Each hospital and birth center is responsible for the periodic review and evaluation, according to current scientific evidence, of the effectiveness, risks, and rates of use of its medical procedures for mothers and babies.
• Society, through both its government and the public health establishment, is responsible for ensuring access to maternity services for all women, and for monitoring the quality of those services.
• Individuals are ultimately responsible for making informed choices about the health care they and their
• babies receive.

On a personal note, having been Shell’s client before I was her business parter,  I can think of no better description of the way Shell practices midwifery than the core values of normalcy, empowerment, autonomy, do no harm and responsibility.   We are so proud to see Shell receiving recognition for her excellence and dedication. 

The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services is a fantastic resource for evidence-based research sources on childbirth and maternal health and their website has a lot of great information.   As part of their grassroots efforts, CIMS also created the National Birth Survey project.  I STRONGLY encourage everyone to participate in this important project, and tell your friends and family about the project as well.  The survey only takes about 3o minutes to complete and each response contributes to the crucial need for transparency in health care.